Method for producing a steel component for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of producing a component for a vehicle may involve providing a workpiece comprised of a heat-treatable steel material with a zinc-containing coating on both sides, at least partly heating the workpiece to a temperature above Ac1, inserting the at least partly heated workpiece into a hot-forming and/or press-hardening mold comprising at least one punch and at least one die, and closing the mold by relative movement of the punch and/or the die and hot-forming and/or press-hardening the workpiece. At least a region of the heated workpiece may be cooled in the closed mold such that there is at least partial formation of a hardened microstructure. The workpiece may have a first side with a smaller coating thickness of the zinc-containing coating compared to the second side of the workpiece.”

The invention relates to a method of producing a component for avehicle, comprising the following steps:

providing a workpiece composed of a heat-treatable steel materialprovided with a zinc-containing coating on both sides,

at least partly heating the workpiece to a temperature above Ac1,

inserting the at least partly heated workpiece into a hot-forming and/orpress-hardening mold comprising at least one punch and at least one die,

closing the mold by relative movement of the punch and/or the die towardone another and hot-forming and/or press-hardening the workpiece, withcooling of at least a region of the heated workpiece in the closed moldin such a way that there is at least partial formation of a hardenedmicrostructure.

The invention further relates to a component, especially produced by themethod of the invention, and to a corresponding use of the component.

Modern automobile construction without press-hardened components is hardto imagine. Conventional steel components have been replaced by newhigh- and higher-strength steel materials, and the increase in strengthor the high strength of the material has enabled a reduction in thematerial thickness with the same mechanical properties, such that apositive effect on a reduction in the total weight of the vehicle ispossible and hence an associated reduction in the CO2 output is alsopossible. The steel material used is a heat-treatable steel, for examplea manganese-boron steel, the most common representative at present being22MnB5. Press-hardened components are generally produced from coatedformed blanks or from coated blanks which are first cold-formed to givepreformed semifinished products. The coating may be organic in nature,but inorganic coatings based on aluminum or aluminum/silicon and basedon zinc have become established in practice.

In the case of coatings based on aluminum or aluminum/silicon, duringthe heating process (austenitization), diffusion of iron out of the basematerial (22MnB5) into the coating takes place and an AlSi—Fe layer isformed, which has what is called a barrier effect with regard to theanticorrosion properties. There is no active cathodic corrosionprotection in the case of an aluminum-based coating. However, activecathodic corrosion protection is provided by zinc-based coatings.Diffusion of iron out of the base material (22MnB5) into the coatingdoes again take place during the heating process (austenitization). Thediffusion does raise the melting point of the iron-enriched zinccoating, but formation of liquid zinc phases (also known as “liquidembrittlement”) cannot be completely suppressed. Liquid embrittlement,in the course of subsequent hot forming and/or press hardening,according to the degree of forming that results from the forming at thesurface of the coating, results in formation of cracks which canpropagate further in the direction of the base material owing to thematerial stress (compression-tension) and extend into the base material.The propagation of the cracks is due to the presence of liquid zincphases at the particle boundaries of the material, which weaken thematerial and promote propagation of cracks in the coating by virtue ofthe compressive/tensile stress down to the base material. Press-hardenedcomponents of this kind that are afflicted by cracking can cause astrength reduction in the component in the event of a crash andshortening of the expected lifetime, especially under cyclical stress.

The phenomenon of crack formation in the hot forming of zinc-coatedblanks is disclosed, for example, in the following publication: Drilletet al. “Study of cracks propagation inside the steel on press hardenedsteel zinc based coatings”, La Metallurgia Italiana—n. 1/2012, pages3-8). Studies were conducted on an omega-shaped profile cross sectionwhich was to be hot-formed and press-hardened. It was found that crackspromoted by pockets of liquid zinc present in the material as a resultof heating, particularly in the region of the frame to be produced(critical region), can arise at first owing to compressive stress and/orsubsequent tensile stress on the side facing the die and can extend intothe base material. The more complex the degree of forming, especially inthe frame region, the higher the propensity to stress cracking and,associated with this, the deeper the crack that can be formed in thebase material.

It is an object of the present invention, proceeding from the prior art,to specify a method of producing a component for a vehicle, a componentfor a vehicle and a use of the component, wherein not only activecorrosion protection but also sufficient component strength in the eventof a crash and expected lifetime, especially under cyclical stress, canbe assured.

The object is achieved in a method of the invention in that theworkpiece has a first surface having a smaller coating thickness of thezinc-containing coating compared to the second surface of the workpiece,wherein the workpiece is inserted into the hot-forming and/orpress-hardening mold in such a way that the first surface of theworkpiece is positioned on the side predominantly subjected tocompression and/or tension in the component manufacture, especially thepredominantly concave mold side.

The method of the invention for production of a component for a vehiclefirstly comprises the step of providing a workpiece composed of aheat-treatable steel material provided with a zinc-containing coating onboth sides. Heat-treatable steels used are essentially manganese-boronsteels. It is also conceivable to use other steel qualities in which ahigher strength can be generated as a result of a heat treatment and bycomparison with the condition as supplied. A further step comprises atleast partial heating of the workpiece to a temperature above Ac1,especially above Ac3. The workpiece is first heated partially orcompletely to austenitization temperature, and (partially) differentmicrostructures or a homogeneous microstructure throughout can beestablished in the workpiece according to the requirement on thecomponent to be produced and the end use thereof in the motor vehicle.This can be effected by means of appropriate furnaces and/or by means ofappropriate hot-forming and/or press-hardening tools. If differentmicrostructures in the workpiece have to be taken into account, this isreferred to as “tailored tempering”, meaning that at least one regionhaving a hard microstructure and at least one region which has a softmicrostructure and is more ductile compared to the hard microstructureare established. A further step comprises the insertion of the at leastpartly heated workpiece into a hot-forming and/or press-hardening moldcomprising at least one punch and at least one die. At least one side ofthe mold is predominantly concave, preferably the die, and at least oneside of the mold is predominantly convex, preferably the punch. Theclosure of the mold by relative movement of the punch and/or the dietoward one another and hot-forming and/or press-hardening of theworkpiece comprises a further step, with cooling of at least one regionof the heated workpiece in the closed mold in such a way that there isat least partial formation of a hardened microstructure. The workpieceis completely or at least partially hardened, which is effected by rapidcooling in a mold, especially an actively cooled mold, in the course ofhot forming and press-hardening (direct hot forming) or in the course ofpress-hardening (indirect hot forming), with conversion of themicrostructure of the at least partly austenitic region of the workpieceby abrupt cooling to a martensitic and/or bainitic microstructure,particular preference being given to the achievement of a martensiticmicrostructure.

The inventors have found that, surprisingly, the reduction in thecoating thickness of the zinc-containing coating on the first surface ofthe workpiece, which is positioned on the side predominantly subjectedto compression and/or tension in the component manufacture, especiallythe predominantly concave mold side, preferably contacted with the dieof the mold, can reduce the cracks or crack depth in the critical regioncompared to coating thicknesses that are customary in practice to adegree which satisfies the demands on component strength in the event ofa crash and the expected lifetime, especially under cyclical stresses.Crack formation cannot be entirely avoided owing to the aforementionedphenomenon. The lowering of the coating thickness also reduces the zincsupply, and hence a lower level of liquid zinc phases, which weaken thematerial, arises in the material during the heating process.

In a first configuration of the method of the invention, the workpiece,prior to the provision thereof, is separated from a steel material instrip form which has been provided with a zinc-containing coatingapplied electrolytically or by hot dip coating, which is especiallyapplied in a continuous coating process. Continuous coating processesare firstly economically viable and, secondly, the required coatingthicknesses can be established in a controlled manner. The way in whichthe application of the different coating thicknesses (differentialcoating) on the surfaces of the steel material in strip form isconducted is known in the art.

Preferably, the steel material in strip form, after the application ofthe zinc-containing coating, is subjected to a heat treatment at atemperature especially between 200° C. and Ac1, preferably between 350°C. and Ac1, for a period of time between 5 and 300 s, preferably between20 and 240 s. The heat treatment (galvannealing) conducted additionallyprior to the hot forming and/or press hardening enriches the coatingwith iron in a controlled manner, which raises the melting point of thezinc-containing coating and can reduce the formation of liquid zincphases during the austenitization in the material. The heat treatment ispreferably effected continuously, preferably inline after the coatingprocess. The heat treatment can also alternatively be conducted on asteel material in strip form that has been wound up to form a coil,which, for example, is batch-annealed, in which case the heat treatmenttime may be several minutes to several hours and the temperature rangeis within the aforementioned order of magnitude.

In a preferred configuration of the process of the invention, aworkpiece having a first surface having a coating thickness of <4 μm,especially <3.5 μm, more preferably <3 μm, and a second surface having acoating thickness ≥4 μm, especially ≥4.5 μm, more preferably ≥5 μm, ofthe zinc-containing coating is used, in each case in the as yetnon-press-hardened condition (condition as supplied). A reduction in thecracks or the crack depth, especially in the critical region, isperceptible essentially when the coating thickness is <4 μm on the firstsurface of the workpiece. In order to assure sufficient cathodiccorrosion protection, the coating thickness on the first surface shouldbe ≥1 μm, especially ≥1.5 μm, more preferably ≥2 μm. The coatingthickness on the second surface is ≤25 μm, especially ≤20 μm, morepreferably 15 μm, in order to keep the diffusion pathway for ironenrichment in the applied layer short.

In a further configuration of the method of the invention, theworkpiece, after being heated, is inserted as an essentially flatworkpiece into a hot-forming and press-hardening mold (direct hotforming), or as an already cold-formed workpiece of near finishedgeometry into a press-hardening mold (indirect hot forming). Indirecthot forming offers the advantage that there are no liquid zinc phases inthe material, and the cold (pre)forming to give a workpiece of nearfinished geometry results in barely any cracks or any significantpropagation of cracks into the base material through the stress on thematerial, especially in the critical region during the cold forming.After the austenitization, quenching and calibration are effected in thepress-hardening mold, which may include a low degree of forming. Thedisadvantage is that an additional method step, namely the preforming ofthe workpiece, is required, and additional investment in plant is alsoassociated therewith. Particular preference is given to using direct hotforming. A workpiece means either a flat steel sheet or a cold,preformed steel part that has yet to be hardened.

In an alternative configuration of the method of the invention, theworkpiece is subjected to hot forming in a first mold and at least topartial press hardening in a second mold. The division of the “hotforming” and “press hardening” processes between two molds canadvantageously increase the cycle time, with an associated enhancementin economic viability. However, the division of the process into twomeans that it is necessary to ensure that the temperature does not gobelow the Ms temperature (martensite start temperature) on insertion ofthe already hot-formed workpiece into the press-hardening mold.Preferably, the temperature on insertion is at least Ms+20K, especiallyMs+50K.

In a further configuration of the method of the invention, the workpieceis trimmed in the hot-forming and/or press-hardening mold. This has theadvantage that the workpiece, preferably in the still-hot state, can betrimmed relatively easily when the temperature has not yet gone belowthe Ms temperature. This makes it possible to dispense with additionalmechanical cutting tools which, because of the high hardness in thefinished workpiece (component), are prone to wear and have a shortservice life, or alternative separating apparatuses, for example costlyhard trimming by laser.

In a further configuration of the method of the invention, a workpiecewhich is a tailored product is used. Tailored products are understood tomean tailored blanks or tailored welded blanks, tailored strips ortailored welded strips and tailored rolled blanks or tailored rolledstrips, which are known in the art. Tailored blanks and tailored stripswith different sheet thicknesses and tailored rolled blanks canadditionally be used to save mass by comparison with workpieces having auniform material thickness. In the tailored blanks and tailored strips,as well as different sheet thicknesses, it is also possible to usedifferent steel materials in order to take account of differentmicrostructures in the workpiece, which are not established by the“tailored tempering” already mentioned; in other words, a heat-treatablesteel material which has a hard microstructure after the hardening iswelded to at least one non-heat-treatable, non-hardenable steel materialwhich, after hardening, essentially retains its soft microstructure,along the joining edge of each, preferably by means of butt laserwelding. Complex delayering of the joining zone, which is absolutelynecessary in the case of AlSi coatings, can be dispensed with in thecase of zinc-containing coatings.

The heat-treatable steel is a magnesium-boron steel having a tensilestrength of at least 1500 MPa in the hardened state. Its alloyconstituents in % by weight are preferably limited as follows:

C≤0.5

Si≤0.7

Mn≤2.5

S≤0.01

Al≥0.015

Ti≤0.05

Cr+Mo≤1.0

B≤0.05

balance: iron and unavoidable impurities.

In a further configuration of the method of the invention, a componenthaving a profile cross section which is hat-shaped or omega-shaped atleast in some regions is produced. More particularly, the componentproduced has the form of a half shell. Half shells are components which,in the installed state, are preferably parts of an A, B, C, D pillar, ofa door sill, of a longitudinal beam, of a transverse beam, of a crashbox or of a chassis component.

In a second aspect of the invention, a component for a vehicle which hasa profile cross section which is hat-shaped or omega-shaped at least insome regions, and which has been at least partly press-hardened,especially produced by the process of the invention is specified,wherein the component has a first surface having a smaller coatingthickness of a zinc-containing coating compared to the second surface ofthe component. In order to avoid repetition, reference is made to theabove statements at this point.

In a first configuration of the component of the invention, thecomponent has been formed from a tailored product, in order especiallyto be able to influence the weight. If a component is to have differentmicrostructures, it may have been produced alternatively or cumulativelyby a “tailored tempering” process.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to use of the component of theinvention as bodywork component of a vehicle, especially as part of anA, B, C, D pillar, door sill, longitudinal beam, transverse beam, crashbox, or in the form of a chassis part of a vehicle, especially as partof a chassis component, more preferably in passenger vehicles, utilityvehicles, heavy goods vehicles, specialty vehicles, buses, omnibuses,whether driven by a combustion engine and/or electrically, but also inrail-bound vehicles, for example trams or passenger-carrying wagons.

The invention is elucidated hereinafter with reference to a diagram thatshows working examples. Identical parts are given identical referencenumerals. The figures show:

FIG. 1): a schematic sequence of steps for production of a component fora vehicle in a first configuration of a method of the invention,

FIG. 2): a partial cross-sectional view of a first working example of acomponent of the invention,

FIG. 3a, b ): micrographs of the critical region, shown in FIG. 2, ofhot-formed and press-hardened components, wherein the coating thicknesswas 5 μm and 3 μm in the non-press-hardened condition (condition assupplied).

FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, a sequence (E) of steps for productionof a component for a vehicle in a first configuration of a method of theinvention. The method of the invention firstly comprises the step (A) ofproviding a workpiece composed of a heat-treatable steel materialprovided with a zinc-containing coating on both sides. The coating has afirst surface 3 having a coating thickness <4 μm, especially <3.5 μm,more preferably <3 μm, and a second surface 4 having a coating thicknessof ≥4 μm, especially ≥4.5 μm, more preferably ≥5 μm, of thezinc-containing coating, in each case in the as yet non-press-hardenedcondition (condition as supplied).

What is not shown here is that the workpiece, prior to provisionthereof, is separated from a steel material in strip form, which hasbeen provided with a zinc-containing coating applied electrolytically orby hot dip coating, which has especially been applied in a continuouscoating process. Heat-treatable steel materials are essentiallymanganese-boron steels. A further step (B) comprises at least partialheating, preferably complete heating, of the workpiece to a temperatureabove Ac1, especially above Ac3. The workpiece is first partially orcompletely heated to austenitization temperature, and differentmicrostructures or a homogeneous microstructure throughout can beestablished in the workpiece according to the requirement on thecomponent to be produced and the end use thereof in the motor vehicle.This can be effected by means of appropriate furnaces. Workpieces usedinclude monolithic steel materials having a homogeneous materialthickness, for example having material thicknesses between 0.5 and 6 mm,especially between 0.8 and 4 mm, or tailored products.

The temperature for heating (through-heating), preferably in a furnace(continuous furnace), is, for example, 850 to 930° C. with a residencetime, for example, between 3 and 12 min. The heating is followed by theinsertion of the at least partly, preferably completely, heatedworkpiece into a hot-forming and/or press-hardening mold (step C)comprising at least one punch and at least one die. It has to be ensuredthat the workpiece having a first surface having a lower coatingthickness of the zinc-containing coating compared to the second surfaceof the workpiece is inserted into the hot-forming and/or press-hardeningmold in such a way that the first surface of the workpiece is broughtinto contact with the predominantly concave side of the mold, preferablywith the die of the mold, and the second surface of the workpiece withthe predominantly convex side of the mold, preferably with the punch ofthe mold. This can be verified, for example, by suitable means that arenot shown here, for example measurement systems, for example thermalimaging cameras etc., namely at an early stage in the region of chargingof the furnace and/or at the outlet of the furnace and/or prior to theinsertion into the mold, in order to avoid incorrect insertion. Thereduction in the coating thickness of the zinc-containing coating on thefirst surface 3 of the workpiece, which is preferably brought intocontact with the die of the mold, can reduce the cracks or excessivelyhigh crack depths in the critical region 1 by comparison with coatingthicknesses that are customary in practice to a degree which meets thedemands on component strength in the event of a crash and the expectedlifetime, especially under cyclical stresses. The lowering of thecoating thickness also reduces the zinc supply and hence a lower levelof liquid zinc phases, which weaken the material, forms during theheating process in the material.

The closure of the mold by relative movement of the punch and/or the dierelative to one another and hot forming and/or press hardening of theworkpiece are encompassed by a further step (D), wherein at least oneregion of the hot workpiece in the closed mold is cooled in such a waythat there is at least partial formation of a hardened microstructure.The workpiece is at least completely or partially hardened, which iseffected by rapid cooling in a mold, especially an actively cooled mold,in the course of hot forming and press-hardening (direct hot forming) orin the course of press-hardening (indirect hot forming), with conversionof the microstructure of the at least partly austenitic region of theworkpiece by abrupt cooling to a martensitic and/or bainiticmicrostructure, particular preference being given to the achievement ofa martensitic microstructure. If different microstructures in theworkpiece are required, it is possible by the “tailored tempering”process or alternatively through the use of, for example, a tailoredblank composed at least of one heat-treatable steel material and atleast one non-heat-treatable steel material, to establish at least oneregion having a hard microstructure and at least one region which has asoft microstructure and is more ductile compared to the hardmicrostructure. Particular preference is given to direct hot forming.

By differential coating, the workpiece is used to produce, by theindirect and preferably direct hot forming, components which have ahat-shaped or omega-shaped profile cross section 5 in some regions. Moreparticularly, the component produced has the form of a half shell. Halfshells are components which, in the installed state, are preferablyparts of an A, B, C, D pillar, of a door sill, of a longitudinal beam,of a transverse beam, of a crash box or of a chassis component. What isnot shown here is that hot-formed parts can also have other profilecross sections which are used, for example, as attachments, especiallyas part of a wheel rim, preferably as the wheel disk of a wheel rim.FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a first working exampleof a component of the invention, for example in the form of a B pillar.What is shown is a cross section along an axis of the component F, wherethe component may be formed symmetrically about the axis F at least inthis cross section. A B pillar has a cross section of variable lengthalong its component axis. Especially in the case of direct hot forming,which is preferred, the first surface 3 of the workpiece, which is incontact with the die during the hot forming and press hardening,experiences high compressive/tensile stress, as a result of which crackswith high crack depths which extend into the base material form in thecritical region (1) by virtue of the liquid zinc phases, which weakenthe material, that result from the heating. The second surface 4 of theworkpiece, which is in contact with the punch during the hot forming andpress hardening, experiences lower compressive/tensile stress comparedto the first surface, as a result of which there is no risk ofexcessively deep crack formation on the side facing the üunch.Components or half shells of this kind are preferably joined to furthercomponents or half shells to form a profile having a cavity. The firstsurface 3 of the component having the reduced coating thickness of thezinc-containing coating (in the condition as supplied) accordingly hasan external side for component-related reasons. The second surface 4,having a higher coating thickness of the zinc-containing coatingcompared to the first surface 3, accordingly has an internal sidepresent within the cavity for component-related reasons. Especially incavities, in the case of entry of a corrosive medium, there can beelevated risk of corrosion. In general, secondary measures, for examplecavity sealing by means of wax, are undertaken in these regions. With acorresponding (higher) coating thickness of the zinc-containing coatingon the second surface 4, it is possible in accordance with the inventionto provide active long-term corrosion protection.

For the purpose of studying the formation of cracks, two samples weretaken from the critical region 1 of hot-formed and press-hardenedcomponents 5, the coating 7 having been enriched with iron fortemperature-related reasons after the annealing treatment and thesubsequent hot forming and press hardening, in order to be able tocreate micrographs. The furnace temperature was 880° C. with a residencetime of 6 min. The press-hardened components were produced from amanganese-boron steel (22MnB5) having a zinc-containing coating appliedelectrolytically at least on the first surface 3 and having a coatingthickness of 3 μm (FIG. 3a ) and 5 μm (FIG. 3b ) prior to the presshardening in the condition as supplied. In the iron-enriched coating, itcan be seen in the micrographs that, with coating thicknesses of thezinc-containing coating ≥4 μm (in the condition as supplied), there arecracks with high crack depths 6′, which extend down to the base material2. The crack depths 6′ in the base material are ≥10 μm (FIG. 3b ), whichmeans that it is no longer possible to assure sufficient componentstrength in the event of a crash and expected lifetime, especially undercyclical stress. Crack formation behavior is different with low coatingthicknesses of the zinc-containing coating <4 μm (in the condition assupplied). The crack depth 6 in the base material 2 can be reduced to amaximum of 10 μm, which means that it is possible to assure sufficientcomponent strength in the event of a crash and expected lifetime,especially under cyclical stress. In order to ensure sufficient cathodiccorrosion protection, the coating thickness on the first surface 3 is ≥1μm, especially ≥1.5 μm, more preferably ≥2 μm, in the as yetnon-press-hardened condition (in the condition as supplied). The coatingthickness on the second surface 4 is restricted to ≤25 μm, especially≤20 μm, more preferably 15 μm.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   A, B, C, D step sequence, method steps-   E process direction-   F component axis-   1 critical region-   2 heat-treatable steel material, base material-   3 first surface of the steel material-   4 second surface of the steel material-   5 press-hardened component-   6 6, 6′ crack depth-   7 coating after the annealing treatment and the subsequent hot    forming and press hardening

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A method of producing a component for a vehicle,the method comprising: providing a workpiece comprised of aheat-treatable steel material that has a zinc-containing coating on eachside, wherein the zinc-containing coating on a first side of theworkpiece has a smaller coating thickness than the zinc-containingcoating on a second side of the workpiece; at least partly heating theworkpiece to a temperature above Ac1; inserting the workpiece that hasbeen at least partly heated into a mold that is for at least one of hotforming or press hardening, the mold comprising a punch and a die,wherein the workpiece is inserted into the mold such that the first sideof the workpiece is positioned on a side that will be predominantlysubjected to compression; and closing the mold by a relative movementbetween the punch and the die, and at least one of hot forming or presshardening the workpiece, wherein at least a region of the workpiece iscooled in the mold such that there is at least partial formation of ahardened microstructure.
 14. The method of claim 13 comprising, prior toproviding the workpiece, separating the workpiece from theheat-treatable steel material in strip form with the zinc-containingcoating that has been applied electrolytically or by hot dip coating.15. The method of claim 14 comprising, after the zinc-containing coatinghas been applied, subjecting the heat-treatable steel material in stripform to a heat treatment at a temperature between 200° C. and Ac1 for aperiod of time between 5 and 300 seconds.
 16. The method of claim 13wherein the zinc-containing coating of the first side of the workpieceis less than 4 μm prior to press hardening, wherein the zinc-containingcoating of the second side of the workpiece is at least 4 μm prior topress hardening.
 17. The method of claim 13 comprising, after at leastpartly heating the workpiece, either inserting the workpiece configuredas a flat workpiece into the mold, which is for hot forming and presshardening, or inserting the workpiece as an already-cold-formedworkpiece into the mold, which is for press hardening.
 18. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the mold is a first mold, the method comprising hotforming the workpiece in the first mold and at least partly presshardening the workpiece in a second mold.
 19. The method of claim 13comprising trimming the workpiece in the mold.
 20. The method of claim13 wherein the workpiece is a tailored product.
 21. The method of claim13 comprising producing a component having a profile cross section thatis hat-shaped or omega-shaped at least in some regions.
 22. A componentfor a vehicle that has a profile cross section that is hat-shaped oromega-shaped at least in some regions, wherein the component has been atleast partly press hardened, wherein a first side of the component has asmaller coating thickness of a zinc-containing coating than a secondside of the component, the component being formed according to themethod of claim
 13. 23. The component of claim 22 wherein the componenthas been formed from a tailored product.
 24. A method of producing acomponent for a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a workpiececomprised of a heat-treatable steel material that has a zinc-containingcoating on each side, wherein the zinc-containing coating on a firstside of the workpiece has a smaller coating thickness than thezinc-containing coating on a second side of the workpiece; at leastpartly heating the workpiece to a temperature above Ac1; inserting theworkpiece that has been at least partly heated into a mold that is forat least one of hot forming or press hardening, the mold comprising apunch and a die, wherein the workpiece is inserted into the mold suchthat the first side of the workpiece is positioned on a side that willbe predominantly subjected to tension; and closing the mold by arelative movement between the punch and the die, and at least one of hotforming or press hardening the workpiece, wherein at least a region ofthe workpiece is cooled in the mold such that there is at least partialformation of a hardened microstructure.
 25. The method of claim 24comprising, prior to providing the workpiece, separating the workpiecefrom the heat-treatable steel material in strip form with thezinc-containing coating that has been applied electrolytically or by hotdip coating.
 26. The method of claim 25 comprising, after thezinc-containing coating has been applied, subjecting the heat-treatablesteel material in strip form to a heat treatment at a temperaturebetween 200° C. and Ac1 for a period of time between 5 and 300 seconds.27. The method of claim 24 wherein the zinc-containing coating of thefirst side of the workpiece is less than 4 μm prior to press hardening,wherein the zinc-containing coating of the second side of the workpieceis at least 4 μm prior to press hardening.
 28. The method of claim 24comprising, after at least partly heating the workpiece, eitherinserting the workpiece configured as a flat workpiece into the mold,which is for hot forming and press hardening, or inserting the workpieceas an already-cold-formed workpiece into the mold, which is for presshardening.
 29. The method of claim 24 wherein the mold is a first mold,the method comprising hot forming the workpiece in the first mold and atleast partly press hardening the workpiece in a second mold.
 30. Themethod of claim 24 comprising trimming the workpiece in the mold. 31.The method of claim 24 comprising producing a component having a profilecross section that is hat-shaped or omega-shaped at least in someregions.